Digital TV switch facing hurdle over...postage stamps?
We expected some potential issues concerning the analog TV shutoff next year, but even we (and apparently the Commerce Department) could not have predicted they'd run low on stamps necessary to send out $40 discount coupons for digital television converters. Apparently nearly 60% of the coupons sent out expired before they were actually used -- maybe people are waiting to see which digital converter to buy -- resulting in n unexpected number of new mailings. Funds from the unused coupons goes back to the program and will still be available for more requests, however the budgeted administrative funds to actually mail the things is limited, and may need to be expanded. According to Reuters, the NTIA should have a clearer picture after July 1, but this could cause some issues for those still waiting to request the discount.
Filed under: Set-top boxes, OTA
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex @ Jun 11th 2008 4:39PM
maybe they should have made sure there were boxes to buy before they started issuing coupons
Big Wizz @ Jun 11th 2008 4:41PM
Only in America could the Govt. run out of money to pay its own quasi-governmental agency.
Maybe they should ask Stamps.com for a corporate discount...
daaper @ Jun 11th 2008 4:43PM
How about making it so the coupons don't expire?
Ty @ Jun 11th 2008 10:11PM
I agree. At least they shouldn't be expiring until sometime after February. Only here in America.
DrXym @ Jun 12th 2008 7:50AM
This is stupid. Why compensate people to buy a digital tuner to start with? It's not like they're that expensive, and I assume the government has given ample warning that an analogue to digital switchover is happening. Tuners in Europe can be had from €30 upwards, hardly a hardship, especially considering a TV is a luxury item.
Johnny Miller @ Jun 12th 2008 4:15PM
Why do they expire? Mine are about to expire but I can't find any store that has the boxes in stock and my time is running out.
Loretta @ Aug 2nd 2008 8:31PM
I'm amazed at the system they are using to control who may receive these treasured coupons! I have been denied twice As I've explained, my 19 year old son and his girlfriend when ready to move into their own apartment were denied with their new apartment address, so my son, the self-serving young man he has become, used my address, received the coupons and took them with him when they moved out this Spring. They subscribe to COMCAST Cable TV and have no use of these coupons, but kids will be kids and cover their TV's before anyone else's.
Now, as a Disabled woman living on a pittance of benefits, I cannot afford neither the new TV's nor the converters without some kind of financial assistance, but they are sending me the same form letter over and again. My address has already received the coupons although there are NO coupons.
How can this tracking system possibly be fair to everyone when people are moving all over the place, from address to address? Now I will be left out of this program, not be able to watch even my local stations all because my son used MY address for his coupons at his new addtress alongside his COMCAST Cable subscription. This is the givernment issuing the coupons, could this possibly how they think they are performing the new census, because it surely isn't counting MY household, someone who truly needs the coupons to get the converters! How much is the government spending to process this entire project?